1875–1876 Pollen Ministry

The Pollen Ministry was a responsible government which held power in New Zealand from July 1875 to February 1876 while Julius Vogel was in London.[1]

Background

Julius Vogel, who had been Premier since 1873 and Colonial Treasurer for almost all of the time since 1869, went to London in July 1875 to negotiate a £4 million loan to be spent on public works and immigration, leaving Daniel Pollen in charge.[2] Harry Atkinson became Treasurer in the interim and his cautious policy was to cease announcing new railway projects and stop servicing interest payments out of loan money.[3]

In 1875 Sir George Grey launched a campaign against the sale of the Piako Swamp to a syndicate led by Bank of New Zealand founder Thomas Russell. This low-value land had been confiscated from its Maori owners during the New Zealand Wars and should have been auctioned off - in fact it was sold directly to the syndicate for 5 shillings per acre on condition that they build a road through it. Pollen, in his former role as Commissioner of Confiscated Lands, had been deeply involved in the sale.[4]

Grey had been the Governor of New Zealand in the 1850s and had designed the Provinces of New Zealand. He led the provincialist faction in the House and forced the Government to compromise on their intention to abolish the provinces: implementation of the abolition would have to wait until after a general election.[5] Pollen won this election in Vogel's absence, and handed back the premiership upon his return.[6]

Ministers

The following members served in the Pollen Ministry:[7]

Name Portrait Office Term
Daniel Pollen, MLC
Premier 6 July 1875 - 15 February 1876
Colonial Secretary 4 July 1873 - 13 October 1877
Sir Julius Vogel
Colonial Treasurer 11 October 1872 - 6 July 1875
Postmaster-General 11 October 1872 - 1 September 1876
Sir Donald McLean
Minister for Native Affairs 11 October 1872 - 7 December 1876
William Reynolds
Commissioner of Customs 26 October 1872 - 15 February 1876
Edward Richardson
Minister for Public Works 29 October 1872 - 4 January 1877
Wi Katene
Member of Executive Council 4 November 1872 - 15 February 1876
Wiremu Parata
Member of Executive Council 4 December 1872 - 15 February 1876
Harry Atkinson
Secretary for Crown Lands 7 September 1874 - 1 September 1876
Minister for Immigration 10 September 1874 - 1 September 1876
Colonial Treasurer 6 July 1875 - 15 February 1876
Charles Bowen
Minister of Justice 16 December 1874 - 13 October 1877
Commissioner of Stamp Duties 16 December 1874 - 13 October 1877

See also

Notes
  1. Wilson, J. O. (James Oakley) (1985). New Zealand parliamentary record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: Government Printer. pp. 65–6.
  2. Bassett, Judith (1969). Sir Harry Atkinson. Reed. p. 37.
  3. Dalziel, Raewynn (1986). Julius Vogel: Business Politician. Auckland University Press, Oxford University Press. p. 204.
  4. Dalziel, Raewynn (1986). Julius Vogel: Business Politician. Auckland University Press, Oxford University Press. pp. 205–6.
  5. Bassett, Judith (1969). Sir Harry Atkinson. Reed. pp. 37–8.
  6. Dalziel, Raewynn (1986). Julius Vogel: Business Politician. Auckland University Press, Oxford University Press. p. 209.
  7. Wilson, J. O. (1985). Parliamentary Record of New Zealand (4th ed.). Wellington: Government Printer. pp. 65–6.

References
  • Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
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